View Full Version : LOS ANGELES | METRO Project Rundown 2.0 (non-downtown)
BrandonJXN
Feb 2, 2013, 5:32 AM
Here's something to mull over: It even includes a rendering...
http://www.wehoville.com/2013/02/01/cohen-brothers-mta-reach-exclusive-agreement-for-proposed-mega-complex-at-weho-depot/
Probably will never happen, although the city will eventually development that property, they've been eying it for years. The comments are ALL negative. NIMBYism lives in WeHo, big time.
http://www.wehoville.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/MTA-Cohen-Design.jpg
http://www.wehoville.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/MTA-Cohen-Design.jpg
If West Hollywood ever decides to redevelop the MTA bus depot (which they should), this isn't the way to go. Another shopping mall is not needed. Especially if it's going to be a huge blank wall. That side of the street could be activated with all sorts of stuff. WeHo needs to wake up.
Illithid Dude
Feb 2, 2013, 8:19 AM
http://www.wehoville.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/MTA-Cohen-Design.jpg
http://www.wehoville.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/MTA-Cohen-Design.jpg
If West Hollywood ever decides to redevelop the MTA bus depot (which they should), this isn't the way to go. Another shopping mall is not needed. Especially if it's going to be a huge blank wall. That side of the street could be activated with all sorts of stuff. WeHo needs to wake up.
I don't like the whole mall thing, but those towers look nice...
StethJeff
Feb 2, 2013, 7:04 PM
If that intersection ever became a big transit hub/crossroads for metro rail (SaMo and San Vicente absolutely should be one day) then this concept does make sense. This intersection could start to resemble what you'd see in Shanghai/Bangkok/Beijing - multiple rail lines converging into an area of dense housing and shopping. Obviously another mall becomes a problem if its that close to Beverly Center and Grove, but the overall idea isn't that bad. DTLA/7th, Vermont/Wilshire, WeHo should all develop something similar in the future.
Kingofthehill
Feb 3, 2013, 1:20 AM
passed by caruso's 8500 burton way today, and couldn't help but think how nice it looked! it looks like something you see in a nice part of miami, or somewhere on the mediterranean. the build quality and finishes both seemed to be very high, and the massing and urbanity has brought alot of life to that messy, chaotic, and pedestrian-unfriendly intersection.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8439955678_80f7e71809_b.jpg
ChelseaFC
Feb 3, 2013, 10:48 AM
That intersection is messy, chaotic, and driver-unfriendly as well.
That intersection is messy, chaotic, and driver-unfriendly as well.
Aside: I was just out in LA. And whereas I expected motorists to be a little crazy ... I discovered they were quite the opposite. LA motorists appear to be the most patient and cautious I've ever seen.
One possible explanation: I grant that pedestrians have all the rights. Thing is, LA pedestrians seem to know it and act accordingly. They certainly do take their time crossing.
And motorists just wait ... and wait ... and wait. In Orlando, motorists would be honking at dawdling pedestrians.
DtlaCuriousity
Feb 3, 2013, 11:06 PM
Aside: I was just out in LA. And whereas I expected motorists to be a little crazy ... I discovered they were quite the opposite. LA motorists appear to be the most patient and cautious I've ever seen.
One possible explanation: I grant that pedestrians have all the rights. Thing is, LA pedestrians seem to know it and act accordingly. They certainly do take their time crossing.
And motorists just wait ... and wait ... and wait. In Orlando, motorists would be honking at dawdling pedestrians.
Haha funny. I do remember visiting Orlando and getting honked at every time I was crossing the street. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong.
Dale
Feb 3, 2013, 11:09 PM
Haha funny. I do remember visiting Orlando and getting honked at every time I was crossing the street. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong.
I'm guessing you were crossing the road like a f***ing Angelino. :cool:
Chef Boyardee
Feb 4, 2013, 5:30 AM
Aerial photo of LAX's new international terminal under construction.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/6972979518_8aceb1c337_z.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jw4pix/6972979518/sizes/z/in/photostream/
It's a months old picture though. It should be almost finished by now.
Here are the more recent photos.
http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/LAXDev/Photos/ADG%20Update%20Nov%202012.pdf
I just flew into LAX, via Airtrain, and was happy to read that Soutwest plans to spiff up that rather drab terminal. I hope that roads and signage will also be improved with this massive, ongoing modernization program.
202_Cyclist
Feb 4, 2013, 4:10 PM
I'm guessing you were crossing the road like a f***ing Angelino. :cool:
Because the only people we should care about on our roads are drivers, of course?
202_Cyclist
Feb 4, 2013, 4:14 PM
Mixed-use apartment project underway in Westchester
http://www.trbimg.com/img-510c6c91/turbine/la-fi-mo-mixed-use-in-westchester-20130201-001/580/580x281
Work has begun on a 260-unit complex near the southwest corner of Manchester Avenue and Rayford Drive called Playa Del Oro West. (Image courtesy of the Los Angeles Times).
By Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
February 3, 2013
"A big empty lot north of Los Angeles International Airport in Westchester is getting an upgrade: $105 million worth of apartments and shops.
Work has begun on a 260-unit complex near the southwest corner of Manchester Avenue and Rayford Drive called Playa Del Oro West, developer Decron Properties Corp. said.
The development is the second phase of a project Decron began in 2002 with the purchase of 13 acres at Manchester and Lincoln Boulevard that included a 12-story hotel previously known as the Furama and before that as the Airport Marina Hotel..."
http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-mixed-use-in-westchester-20130201,0,4479462.story
Because the only people we should care about on our roads are drivers, of course?
Lighten up and reread my original post.
Chef Boyardee
Feb 6, 2013, 8:41 AM
Mixed-use apartment project underway in Westchester
http://www.trbimg.com/img-510c6c91/turbine/la-fi-mo-mixed-use-in-westchester-20130201-001/580/580x281
Work has begun on a 260-unit complex near the southwest corner of Manchester Avenue and Rayford Drive called Playa Del Oro West. (Image courtesy of the Los Angeles Times).
By Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
February 3, 2013
"A big empty lot north of Los Angeles International Airport in Westchester is getting an upgrade: $105 million worth of apartments and shops.
Work has begun on a 260-unit complex near the southwest corner of Manchester Avenue and Rayford Drive called Playa Del Oro West, developer Decron Properties Corp. said.
The development is the second phase of a project Decron began in 2002 with the purchase of 13 acres at Manchester and Lincoln Boulevard that included a 12-story hotel previously known as the Furama and before that as the Airport Marina Hotel..."
http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-mixed-use-in-westchester-20130201,0,4479462.story
Revival architecture has a place in today's world, but this is obviously not it. I think 1920's spanish revival architecture was such a great fit for LA's climate and landscape that when done right, it's the one "revival" revival style that i like. There have been a few apartment buildings built recently in that style that i thought came out very well.
Illithid Dude
Feb 6, 2013, 11:14 AM
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2013.02_millholl.jpg
New renderings of the Millenium Hollywood project, courtesy of Curbed LA. I gotta say, the towers don't look half bad in this picture...
JRinSoCal
Feb 6, 2013, 2:51 PM
Those towers look awesome. But what are the chances of those getting built?
JDRCRASH
Feb 6, 2013, 3:42 PM
Those towers look awesome. But what are the chances of those getting built?
Probably not as bad as you might think. Hollywood is further along in the development and gentrification process than Downtown, so these have a higher probability of happening, I think, than, say, if they were built in the latter area.
Steve2726
Feb 6, 2013, 3:45 PM
Those towers look awesome. But what are the chances of those getting built?
I think the chances are decent, but at lower heights. Hollywood has lots of potential, but also lots of entrenched people fighting the changes.
Even if they are no taller than the extent of the rendering it will be a dramatic addition.
Chef Boyardee
Feb 6, 2013, 3:59 PM
Probably not as bad as you might think. Hollywood is further along in the development and gentrification process than Downtown, so these have a higher probability of happening, I think, than, say, if they were built in the latter area.
Huh? You think a skyscraper has a better chance of being built in hollywood than downtown? The height restrictions alone make this a dubious statement.
BrandonJXN
Feb 6, 2013, 4:35 PM
Probably not as bad as you might think. Hollywood is further along in the development and gentrification process than Downtown, so these have a higher probability of happening, I think, than, say, if they were built in the latter area.
How do you figure?
blackcat23
Feb 6, 2013, 4:46 PM
Probably not as bad as you might think. Hollywood is further along in the development and gentrification process than Downtown, so these have a higher probability of happening, I think, than, say, if they were built in the latter area.
Hollywood also has a much higher concentration of NIMBYs than Downtown. So while they are certainly further along in the gentrification process, you also have a lot of older people who have been living there for a long time and don't want to see anything taller than two floors go up.
JDRCRASH
Feb 6, 2013, 5:18 PM
Downtown is doing spectacular, yes. But really, other than Wilshire Grand, which isn't even out of the ground yet, how many proposed projects on the scale of Millenium Hollywood have we heard any news on lately? And no, i dont think Courtyard Marriott and 888 Olive are on the same scale. Despite the supposed lack of NIMBYs Downtown, we have yet to see little, if any progress on projects like Metropolis or LA Central (although I have a feeling that'll change sooner than we think).
There's also a lot less dead zones and old buildings in Hollywood than Downtown to go through before building taller buildings like this.
Believe me, I'm probably more optimistic about DTLA (both in the short term and long term) than anyone else on this forum. But for now, I think Hollywood's transformation seems more "complete".
BrandonJXN
Feb 6, 2013, 5:30 PM
Downtown is doing spectacular, yes. But really, other than Wilshire Grand, which isn't even out of the ground yet, how many proposed projects on the scale of Millenium Hollywood have we heard any news on lately? And no, i dont think Courtyard Marriott and 888 Olive are on the same scale. Despite the supposed lack of NIMBYs Downtown, we have yet to see little, if any progress on projects like Metropolis or LA Central (although I have a feeling that'll change sooner than we think).
There's also a lot less dead zones and old buildings in Hollywood than Downtown to go through before building taller buildings like this.
Believe me, I'm probably more optimistic about DTLA (both in the short term and long term) than anyone else on this forum. But for now, I think Hollywood's transformation seems more "complete".
So because Hollywood has a pair of tall buildings proposed means that they are further ahead of downtown as far as gentrification goes?
Hollywood still has a ways to go. As does downtown but downtown is much further ahead of Hollywood in many regards.
brudy
Feb 6, 2013, 6:09 PM
So because Hollywood has a pair of tall buildings proposed means that they are further ahead of downtown as far as gentrification goes?
Hollywood still has a ways to go. As does downtown but downtown is much further ahead of Hollywood in many regards.
Despite both being on the upswing, they have very different vibes. Downtown has a more urban, old-school city feel and benefits from development happening all around the area, in a non-linear way. Hollywood can feel more active for sure, and has a ton more retail, but most of the development is along Hollywood blvd (at least around the Highland to Vine area) and some on Sunset.
What I like is that both of these areas are moving forward. It's a great thing.
I'll agree that the Hollywood renaissance, though geographically much more limited, packs a bigger punch than most of downtown LA. The Hollywood/Vine area is pretty solid, and is only going to get much better with Blvd 6200. Cahuenga Boulevard also looks great these days, and in my opinion has a more diverse and generally better collection of local eateries and bars than say, Spring Street. All that said, I do tend to spend a lot more time downtown these days.
brudy
Feb 6, 2013, 6:34 PM
I'll agree that the Hollywood renaissance, though geographically much more limited, packs a bigger punch than most of downtown LA. The Hollywood/Vine area is pretty solid, and is only going to get much better with Blvd 6200. Cahuenga Boulevard also looks great these days, and in my opinion has a more diverse and generally better collection of local eateries and bars than say, Spring Street. All that said, I do tend to spend a lot more time downtown these days.
But it's not just Spring - it's Main, it's 6th, 7th, Fig, all of Little Tokyo and parts of the Arts District. All walkable. Downtown just has more of a real city vibe to it. When I go over to that part of Hollywood it feels busy for sure, but more touristy. And one of the great things about living downtown is that when I want to go to Hollywood, I just take the metro. It's way too easy. To use a NYC comparison - it's like Midtown vs the Lower East side, both have their place.
I think DTLA is solid and would live there in a heartbeat. That said, I drove down Hollywood, last week, and the last time I saw a small precinct, as teeming with life as Hollywood and Vine, was Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
BrandonJXN
Feb 6, 2013, 7:02 PM
From the Wilshire Grand Facebook page:
Wilshire Grand will be holding a press conference unveiling the design of the new luxury flagship hotel on Thursday, 2:30pm at the JW Marriott!!!!
From the Wilshire Grand Facebook page:
Great news! I was getting a tad anxious.
BrandonJXN
Feb 6, 2013, 7:23 PM
I meant to post that in the downtown thread. Whoops.
Munchitup
Feb 6, 2013, 10:51 PM
So because Hollywood has a pair of tall buildings proposed means that they are further ahead of downtown as far as gentrification goes?
Hollywood still has a ways to go. As does downtown but downtown is much further ahead of Hollywood in many regards.
If you count the western end of Hollywood, there is a lot more going on than just the Millennium Project. There are three very large mixed-users going up between Santa Monica and Fountain on La Brea, BLVD 6200, 1800 Whitley (filling in the 2nd-to-last hole in the Yucca Corridor), plus non-development things like Yucca Bike Street.
Hard to say it is at the same level as DTLA but it is doing its best to keep stride for stride :)
As far as the Millennium project, as a Hollywood resident I think the proposed height may look a little silly in context with the rest of the neighborhood since the other nearby towers are quite short. I would prefer to see them about at the height of the rendering.
DistrictDirt
Feb 7, 2013, 1:37 AM
As far as the Millennium project, as a Hollywood resident I think the proposed height may look a little silly in context with the rest of the neighborhood since the other nearby towers are quite short. I would prefer to see them about at the height of the rendering.
I posted (http://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/17nzyh/millennium_hollywood_partners_just_posted_new/) the renderings on /r/LosAngeles to gauge the reaction of non-skyscraper aficionados, and was surprised to see so many negative comments. I'm really hoping the city approves it with the current height regardless of public opinion, as it will really set a new precedent in Hollywood. I imagine people will get used to it quickly.
Illithid Dude
Feb 7, 2013, 2:08 AM
I posted (http://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/17nzyh/millennium_hollywood_partners_just_posted_new/) the renderings on /r/LosAngeles to gauge the reaction of non-skyscraper aficionados, and was surprised to see so many negative comments. I'm really hoping the city approves it with the current height regardless of public opinion, as it will really set a new precedent in Hollywood. I imagine people will get used to it quickly.
It's Reddit. What did you expect?
DistrictDirt
Feb 7, 2013, 3:09 AM
It's Reddit. What did you expect?
Never noticed that Reddit had any particular NIMBY tendencies before - its a pretty standard cross section of the general population these days. Maybe its skews slightly liberal and young, but definitely not "NIMBYish".
Illithid Dude
Feb 7, 2013, 3:18 AM
Never noticed that Reddit had any particular NIMBY tendencies before - its a pretty standard cross section of the general population these days. Maybe its skews slightly liberal and young, but definitely not "NIMBYish".
Not NIMBY, just negative.
DistrictDirt
Feb 7, 2013, 3:20 AM
Not NIMBY, just negative.
Compared to Curbed, its a beacon of positive energy. ;)
Valyrian Steel
Feb 7, 2013, 3:38 AM
Let me guess, they complained about traffic?
Munchitup
Feb 7, 2013, 5:59 AM
I posted (http://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/17nzyh/millennium_hollywood_partners_just_posted_new/) the renderings on /r/LosAngeles to gauge the reaction of non-skyscraper aficionados, and was surprised to see so many negative comments. I'm really hoping the city approves it with the current height regardless of public opinion, as it will really set a new precedent in Hollywood. I imagine people will get used to it quickly.
No matter how they are built, they will undoubtedly be held up as a beacon of all that is wrong with the Hollywood Community Plan, even though most NIMBYs conveniently leave out the fact that height was already allowed under the current plan.
Wally West
Feb 7, 2013, 5:04 PM
It's Reddit. What did you expect?
Yeah. I refrain from posting most development news there. We have to accept that a majority of the people aren't as interested in development news so they just resort to a knee-jerk reaction which is either: "OMG THE TRAFFIC IS GONNA BE SOOO BAD WITH THIS NEW PROJECT!!" or "Palmer's work around DTLA is awesome!"
SoCalKid
Feb 7, 2013, 10:41 PM
Yeah. I refrain from posting most development news there. We have to accept that a majority of the people aren't as interested in development news so they just resort to a knee-jerk reaction which is either: "OMG THE TRAFFIC IS GONNA BE SOOO BAD WITH THIS NEW PROJECT!!" or "Palmer's work around DTLA is awesome!"
Lol worst type of person
202_Cyclist
Feb 7, 2013, 10:45 PM
This is probably a bit of a stretch for the LA Metro forum. I also posted this in the Orange County thread in the Pacific West regional forum but nobody seems to look there.
Pimco is building a 20-floor headquarters in Newport Beach (Fashion Island/Newport Center). My cousin took this photo a few months ago.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8454335736_2c7a7cd5b9_z.jpg
The Irvine Company is also building a 19-floor building for their headquarters.
JRinSoCal
Feb 8, 2013, 1:08 AM
^I pass by that ugly shoe box frequently. I can't believe they still build shit like that.
Kingofthehill
Feb 8, 2013, 2:54 AM
I took this from my car while driving, but I noticed that the small lot ordinance project going up on Melrose and Grammercy (just west of Western), has broken ground, and seems to be U/C:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8454029015_d82cab00d2_b.jpg
BrandonJXN
Feb 8, 2013, 4:14 AM
http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/51144bdcf92ea16f9702c971/1111%20sunset%20rendering.jpg
http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/51144bdcf92ea16f9702c971/1111%20sunset%20rendering.jpg
The former Metropolitan Water District building on Sunset and Alvarado looks to be making good progress on its journey from abandoned office block to 92 market-rate condos. Via Eastsider LA comes word that the 1963 William Pereira-designed building is in a rather immodest state of undress and has a new name: it will be called 1111 Sunset. Once developers Linear City (the company behind the Toy Factory and Biscuit Company Lofts) get done with it, the seven-story building will feature "a new facade of glass and light-colored materials," balconies fashioned out of the original horizontal platforms, and a ground-floor cafe. Getting to this point has not been easy. Vacant since 1993, the building has passed through the hands of a church, a developer who wanted to convert the space to senior housing, and another developer who wanted it for condos before it landed in the hands of Linear City, who bought the fully-entitled project for $6.8 million in 2011. If all goes according to plan, the building will open in February 2014.
blackcat23
Feb 8, 2013, 6:27 AM
Old Spaghetti Factory, yesterday.
http://i.imgur.com/qXMEeu2.jpg?1
112597jorge
Feb 9, 2013, 12:01 AM
this is probably a bit of a stretch for the la metro forum. I also posted this in the orange county thread in the pacific west regional forum but nobody seems to look there.
Pimco is building a 20-floor headquarters in newport beach (fashion island/newport center). My cousin took this photo a few months ago.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8454335736_2c7a7cd5b9_z.jpg
the irvine company is also building a 19-floor building for their headquarters.
where are they building the 19 story tower?
112597jorge
Feb 9, 2013, 12:02 AM
^I pass by that ugly shoe box frequently. I can't believe they still build shit like that.
I live 10 minutes away and pass by there every week.
Progress at the Vermont has sped up since they finished the podium. Currently, they're putting up about one floor per week. At this rate, the towers will be topped out by late summer.
http://urbandiachrony.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/dsc_0738-e1360378496831.jpg
http://urbandiachrony.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/dsc_0739-e1360378509968.jpg
Quixote
Feb 9, 2013, 3:12 AM
Photo updates galore the last few weeks! :)
JRinSoCal
Feb 9, 2013, 3:51 AM
^That's because LA is exploding with construction once again!
202_Cyclist
Feb 9, 2013, 3:44 PM
where are they building the 19 story tower?
It will be at 520 Newport Center Drive.
http://lansner.ocregister.com/2012/09/24/irvine-co-to-build-19-story-building-near-hq/166511/
Leo the Dog
Feb 9, 2013, 4:40 PM
It will be at 520 Newport Center Drive.
http://lansner.ocregister.com/2012/09/24/irvine-co-to-build-19-story-building-near-hq/166511/
Welcome to 1970.
brudy
Feb 9, 2013, 8:25 PM
It will be at 520 Newport Center Drive.
http://lansner.ocregister.com/2012/09/24/irvine-co-to-build-19-story-building-near-hq/166511/
I was looking at the image on that page trying to decide which one they were tearing down when I realized that it was the rendering for the new building...
Mojeda101
Feb 9, 2013, 9:46 PM
http://urbandiachrony.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/dsc_0738-e1360378496831.jpg
This picture shows just how massive the project is. I wish we had a good dozen of these in downtown. It definitely filled a gap and it's a great addition since it's right next to the metro station.
LAsam
Feb 9, 2013, 9:49 PM
I drove by the Wilshire/Vermont towers under construction and was amazed by the scale of that development. Certainly one of the biggest construction projects in the city since the Ritz Carlton.
Illithid Dude
Feb 9, 2013, 10:43 PM
I was looking at the image on that page trying to decide which one they were tearing down when I realized that it was the rendering for the new building...
Apparently, it's a building they've been planning since the sixties, which explains the architecture (though I actually like it).
Chef Boyardee
Feb 10, 2013, 6:53 AM
Regarding the discussion on the previous page about hollywood and downtown, there's a couple of obvious differences between the two: One is that Hollywood always had Hollywood Hills, one of the wealthier and most desirable hoods in LA, directly above it. Some of that money had to trickle down. Downtown on the other hand was a low income neighborhood surrounded by other low income neighborhoods. The other is that even during Hollywood's nadir in the 70's/80's/90's it was still a tourist destination because of its name. Downtown never was. I remember in the 80's it was always funny to us kids watching tourists wander hollywood blvd amid the hookers, looking completely terrified. But buses of them still came every day.
Someone also mentioned nimbys in hollywood. One slight correction, they are not in hollywood per se, they are in the previously mentioned Hills, which is a different neighborhood with its own neighborhood council, etc. For example, i believe most of the people suing the city right now for the approval of the new community plan that allows for skyscrapers like these millennium towers, live way up in the lake hollywood area.
BrandonJXN
Feb 10, 2013, 2:49 PM
Drove down Sunset last night and it looks like they are in the process of tearing down that old Favela's supermarket or whatever it was called on Sunset and Western.
DistrictDirt
Feb 10, 2013, 8:22 PM
Drove down Sunset last night and it looks like they are in the process of tearing down that old Favela's supermarket or whatever it was called on Sunset and Western.
Fallas Paredes? Nice freudian slip there. :D
Glad to hear things are finally moving with that Target project. That intersection needs help.
blackcat23
Feb 11, 2013, 2:26 AM
Different angle of the Vermont/Wilshire development, taken a couple blocks south on Vermont.
http://i.imgur.com/99r3NE9.jpg?1
brudy
Feb 11, 2013, 9:12 PM
Regarding the discussion on the previous page about hollywood and downtown, there's a couple of obvious differences between the two: One is that Hollywood always had Hollywood Hills, one of the wealthier and most desirable hoods in LA, directly above it. Some of that money had to trickle down. Downtown on the other hand was a low income neighborhood surrounded by other low income neighborhoods. The other is that even during Hollywood's nadir in the 70's/80's/90's it was still a tourist destination because of its name. Downtown never was. I remember in the 80's it was always funny to us kids watching tourists wander hollywood blvd amid the hookers, looking completely terrified. But buses of them still came every day.
I always find that interesting. Even now when I show people around LA they usually like Hollywood (as in Hollywood and Vine/Highland) the least, but they still want to go even when I tell them what's there. I kinda like crush of seedyness and shopping, it's pretty weird in a good way, but other people find it too touristy. But people I've had out here seem to prefer Downtown and Santa Monica more in the end. I'm not sure what metrics to use, but it would be great to map/chart tourism across the city. Downtown for sure is on the rise, even for local tourism, and with more hotels and central metro location, it's a great place to stay.
Illithid Dude
Feb 13, 2013, 7:19 AM
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8469377495_a19d250db2_c.jpg
The Village in Santa Monica. Cladding going up on the main building. Still looks like two more floors to go.
Quixote
Feb 13, 2013, 7:35 AM
^ Is the cladding to your liking? ;)
Illithid Dude
Feb 13, 2013, 8:12 AM
^ Is the cladding to your liking? ;)
It could be worse. Interestingly, it looks different then the render, so it'll be interesting to see how the design ends up panning out.
202_Cyclist
Feb 13, 2013, 3:12 PM
It looks like Wendy Greuel is playing the NIMBY card in the LA mayoral election.
Wendy Greuel attacks Eric Garcetti on Hollywood development
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22577066/wendy-greuel-attacks-eric-garcetti-hollywood-development?source=rss
Illithid Dude
Feb 13, 2013, 4:15 PM
It looks like Wendy Greuel is playing the NIMBY card in the LA mayoral election.
Wendy Greuel attacks Eric Garcetti on Hollywood development
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22577066/wendy-greuel-attacks-eric-garcetti-hollywood-development?source=rss
Luckily it isn't likely she will get elected as of now. Fun fact! My dad dated her in college.
JDRCRASH
Feb 13, 2013, 7:50 PM
Luckily it isn't likely she will get elected as of now. Fun fact! My dad dated her in college.
She was probably pretty hot back then, too. Haha
DJM19
Feb 13, 2013, 8:05 PM
She definitely lost any hope of my vote.
Dale
Feb 13, 2013, 8:33 PM
As of two weeks ago, when I was out in LA, word was she was the front-runner.
What happened ?
Valyrian Steel
Feb 13, 2013, 8:57 PM
235 Luxury Apts. Coming to Freeway-Adjacent Site in Glendale (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/02/235_luxury_apts_coming_to_freewayadjacent_site_in_glendale_1.php)
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/Verdugo%20Gardens%20II.jpg
And Glendale's housing boom rolls on. A six-story, 235-unit apartment building is in the works for North Central Avenue, overlooking the gentle curves of the 134 freeway. Developed by Mill Creek Residential, this is actually a scaled-down version of a pre-recession project from another developer that called for 22-story tower of condos on the site. Mill Creek plans to build a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, including two-story penthouse units, on the full-block site. Units will range in size from 600 to more than 1,400 square feet. According to Multi Housing News, the project will also include "a large resort-like pool ... area courtyard and two smaller attached intimate courtyards, a dramatic two-story lobby ... fitness center, yoga room, [and] multipurpose clubhouse with a gourmet kitchen area." It's got a little something for everyone, which is what Mill Creek's Michale Genthe says they're going for. Noting that Glendale's median age is 40, he said he's hoping the development will attract both empty nesters and the younger workers who commute to, say, Disney's campus nearby.
A restaurant was demolished long ago to make room for the new building, and next a now-vacant medical building will be torn down. Construction is scheduled to begin in April and Mill Creek hopes the apartments will be move-in ready in early 2015.
The project is being paid for out of a new $400 million fund Mill Creek established to develop luxury apartment construction on infill sites across the country. This is the fund's first project in Southern California, though they are actively looking for more sites around LA, including in Downtown.
blackcat23
Feb 13, 2013, 9:20 PM
Wendy Greuel is by no means out of the race. The most likely outcome of the March 5th election will be her and Garcetti moving on to a runoff election.
Right now she's taking a lot of attacks since she's in second place, which means that Perry and James have to weaken her if they want to make it to the runoff. With roughly three weeks until the election day, I don't see either of them bridging the gap.
However, I still regard Garcetti as the front runner. Every poll I've seen has put him in the lead since November, and his Mexican heritage is a big advantage in a one on one contest versus a blonde valley girl.
LAofAnaheim
Feb 13, 2013, 9:33 PM
Gruel lost my vote when she started pandering to the Beverly Hlls crowd and suggesting that Metro do more studies and maybe the current route under the high school was not safe. This criticsm by Gruel is the "nail in the coffin" for any urbanist. Hollywood is 100x better than what it was pre-2001. Does anybody remember how safe Hollywood was before Garcetti?
Garcetti said Metro should proceed and he would look to keep rail transit construction a priority. Garcetti is who LA needs next as its Mayor.
By the way, do people know that Jan Perry is good friends with Lisa Korbatev (the BHHS mayor) and has donated money to Perry's campaign? Be more afraid of Perry than any other candidate............be afraid.
brudy
Feb 13, 2013, 9:40 PM
Gruel lost my vote when she started pandering to the Beverly Hlls crowd and suggesting that Metro do more studies and maybe the current route under the high school was not safe. This criticsm by Gruel is the "nail in the coffin" for any urbanist. Hollywood is 100x better than what it was pre-2001. Does anybody remember how safe Hollywood was before Garcetti?
Garcetti said Metro should proceed and he would look to keep rail transit construction a priority. Garcetti is who LA needs next as its Mayor.
By the way, do people know that Jan Perry is good friends with Lisa Korbatev (the BHHS mayor) and has donated money to Perry's campaign? Be more afraid of Perry than any other candidate............be afraid.
I'm with you. Garcetti is the most pro-metro/public transportation candidate and feels like an extension of Villaraigosa (which I'm fine with). He's also said he'll end homelessness. Tall order there, but at least he's saying he'll try to do something where I get the sense the others are more status quo in maintaining the current approach (especially Perry) in kowtowing to interest groups. All the other candidates seem retrograde in their approach to urban development.
BrandonJXN
Feb 13, 2013, 11:46 PM
I'm with you. Garcetti is the most pro-metro/public transportation candidate and feels like an extension of Villaraigosa (which I'm fine with). He's also said he'll end homelessness. Tall order there, but at least he's saying he'll try to do something where I get the sense the others are more status quo in maintaining the current approach (especially Perry) in kowtowing to interest groups. All the other candidates seem retrograde in their approach to urban development.
I agree. Say what you want about Villaraigosa but he's been the best mayor LA has had since Bradley. Garcetti is a bit like Villaraigoa 2.0.
Quixote
Feb 14, 2013, 1:39 AM
Fun fact! My dad dated her in college.
I'm sorry.
Valyrian Steel
Feb 15, 2013, 1:13 AM
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8469377495_a19d250db2_c.jpg
The Village in Santa Monica. Cladding going up on the main building. Still looks like two more floors to go.
Your pic made it on Curbed (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/02/samo_buildings_with_affordable_units_go_to_head_of_the_line.php). :cool:
Ragnar
Feb 15, 2013, 2:34 AM
235 Luxury Apts. Coming to Freeway-Adjacent Site in Glendale (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/02/235_luxury_apts_coming_to_freewayadjacent_site_in_glendale_1.php)
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/Verdugo%20Gardens%20II.jpg
Go Glendale! The amount of in-fill development going on here is pretty amazing. I think people are realizing that the central location of Glendale (but it being a distinct municipality from L.A.) makes it a pretty desirable place to build.
Illithid Dude
Feb 15, 2013, 3:01 AM
Your pic made it on Curbed (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/02/samo_buildings_with_affordable_units_go_to_head_of_the_line.php). :cool:
Well, huh! The worst part is, this picture bothers me so much, with the lines sort of spreading out as they get higher up. But hey, whatever makes Curbed happy.
Quixote
Feb 15, 2013, 3:51 AM
Curbed LA makes mention of a new mixed-use project called Domain in West Hollywood. It's located on Santa Monica between Formosa and Detroit. Based on the renderings, it will have what looks to be a high-quality design. It's expected to break ground in "a few months."
http://eptdesign.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/domain_03.jpg
http://eptdesign.com/portfolio/highdensity/domain-apartments/
http://eptdesign.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/domain_02.jpg
http://eptdesign.com/portfolio/highdensity/domain-apartments/
http://eptdesign.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/domain_04.jpg
http://eptdesign.com/portfolio/highdensity/domain-apartments/
IMBY
Feb 15, 2013, 5:34 AM
Took my 2nd rail trip around L.A. last week, and stayed in a motel on Alvarado Street, near MacArthur Park. Wow! Loved it! Took my Mexican roommate along and, having lived there in the 70's/80's, he was as pleasantly surprised/shocked as I was to see "Tijuana" on our trip: outdoor food stands, vendors and pirated DVD stands! My roomie said they never would have allowed this when he lived there! More, more, more, I say!!!:tup:
Generally, in so many cities I've visted, the older parks of the city have been well-developed, and I was puzzled why the MacArthur Park area seems lacking in mid/high rise developments. What gives? So close to downtown, I expected a more scaled-down Central Park area.
In my re-discovery of L.A. I'm now concentrating on the ethnic enclaves of L.A. which is making my trips even more exciting now, given that I used to always stay in Hollywood. I did ride the Red line, got off in Hollywood, stayed there 15 minutes, bored stiff, I couldn't wait to get back to Alvarado Street, or skip over to Chinatown, where I could spend hours shopping and eating. So if the Nimby's in Hollywood are opposed to bringing that city into the 21st century, their loss, hopefully downtown L.A.'s gain!
Looking at the developments in Santa Monica, that will save me a trip over there!:uhh:
I took the Expo line to the end, and again, I was as disappointed as when I took the green line to Redondo Beach, expecting to be deposited on the beach! Let's hope some development occurs along that line, but there could be some AK-47-carrying Nimby's along that line!:koko:
Another poster commented on the lack of developments along some of the rail lines, and given the length of time the Blue Line has been in operation, I'm puzzled why there aren't developments on the Blue line heading south to Long Beach. On route back to the Airport, I got off on the Watts station and had dinner, but where's the developments besides that heavily fortified shopping center?:???:
Next trip: Little Tokyo, Koreatown, more Chinatown, Cambodia Town in Long Beach, another stay on Alvarado, and what other ethnic enclaves are worth seeing in L.A.? No Philipino town? Does Watts have a downtown core area?
Illithid Dude
Feb 15, 2013, 6:04 AM
Next trip: Little Tokyo, Koreatown, more Chinatown, Cambodia Town in Long Beach, another stay on Alvarado, and what other ethnic enclaves are worth seeing in L.A.? No Philipino town? Does Watts have a downtown core area?
Well, a lot of the ethnic enclaves aren't reachable by rail. I suppose you could bus it, though. Anyways, in Westwood, there are a sizable amount of persian businesses. There's Little Osaka on Sawtelle and Olympic. Thai Town and Little Armenia in East Hollywood. The Orthodox Jew areas on Pico and Fairfax. Little Ethiopia on South Fairfax, and Crenshaw, which is the african-american center of L.A. I think that about covers it.
IMBY
Feb 15, 2013, 6:56 AM
Thanks for the info! I've got more places to put on my future itineraries on my next rail trips to L.A., and do realize now, I'll have to explore some bus lines as well!
BrandonJXN
Feb 15, 2013, 7:52 AM
How would development pop up around the Green Line considering that a vast majority of it's length is in the middle of the 105? Lower your expatiation's as they are way too high. I loled at how you thought that the Green Line would drop you off at the beach.
Kingofthehill
Feb 15, 2013, 8:12 AM
The bulk of the Chinese community is actually in the SGV. Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Rosemead, etc. Wealthier Chinese/Taiwanese tend to be in San Marino ("Chan Marino"), Arcadia, Diamond Bar, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, and Walnut.
Artesia is very Indian, Gardena has a Japanese cluster, Armenians in Glendale, Russians/Ukrainians along Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, Little Saigon in Westminster/Garden Grove, and Montebello and Downey for middle class Mexicans. Westlake and neighboring Pico-Union, where you stayed, are primarily working class and Central American. Santa Monica has a decent-sized British expat community, too. There are a few other enclaves that currently slip my mind, but do bear in mind that the majority of these areas are best visited by car.
brudy
Feb 15, 2013, 4:18 PM
How would development pop up around the Green Line considering that a vast majority of it's length is in the middle of the 105? Lower your expatiation's as they are way too high. I loled at how you thought that the Green Line would drop you off at the beach.
I know. I had this vision of someone getting off the train covered in suntan lotion with a sand bucket and wearing one of those duck life preservers.
Munchitup
Feb 15, 2013, 6:10 PM
I took the Expo line to the end, and again, I was as disappointed as when I took the green line to Redondo Beach, expecting to be deposited on the beach! Let's hope some development occurs along that line, but there could be some AK-47-carrying Nimby's along that line!:koko:
I don't think the Expo Line lack of development is due to NIMBYs. At least the first phase - some of the Westside neighborhoods might have more NIMBY-ism. Right now the middle portion of the line (Expo / Western - Expo / Crenshaw) is sort of a "transitional" neighborhood with a bunch of what seems to be light-industrial business scattered throughout. With the line eventually bridging Santa Monica and DTLA (plus a connection to LAX via the Crenshaw Line) I think you will see a lot more development in that central portion of the line. And I think much more than on the Blue Line and especially the Green Line.
blackcat23
Feb 15, 2013, 6:24 PM
I don't think the Expo Line lack of development is due to NIMBYs. At least the first phase - some of the Westside neighborhoods might have more NIMBY-ism. Right now the middle portion of the line (Expo / Western - Expo / Crenshaw) is sort of a "transitional" neighborhood with a bunch of what seems to be light-industrial business scattered throughout. With the line eventually bridging Santa Monica and DTLA (plus a connection to LAX via the Crenshaw Line) I think you will see a lot more development in that central portion of the line. And I think much more than on the Blue Line and especially the Green Line.
The Expo Line has received a very substantial amount of development, especially compared to Metro's previous light rail lines. Santa Monica and Culver City have lined up multiple projects to surround their stations. There are a handful of projects proposed for the portions running through LA as well.
The Expo/Crenshaw station will likely receive a lot of development as the Crenshaw Line takes form.
Munchitup
Feb 15, 2013, 7:08 PM
The Expo Line has received a very substantial amount of development, especially compared to Metro's previous light rail lines. Santa Monica and Culver City have lined up multiple projects to surround their stations. There are a handful of projects proposed for the portions running through LA as well.
The Expo/Crenshaw station will likely receive a lot of development as the Crenshaw Line takes form.
I agree, plus developments in downtown Culver City, and more importantly connecting the station to the downtown area. The Expo Line is looking really strong even in Phase I with ridership still climbing, Phase II is going to be great.
IMBY
Feb 16, 2013, 3:49 AM
The bulk of the Chinese community is actually in the SGV. Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Rosemead, etc. Wealthier Chinese/Taiwanese tend to be in San Marino ("Chan Marino"), Arcadia, Diamond Bar, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, and Walnut.
Artesia is very Indian, Gardena has a Japanese cluster, Armenians in Glendale, Russians/Ukrainians along Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, Little Saigon in Westminster/Garden Grove, and Montebello and Downey for middle class Mexicans. Westlake and neighboring Pico-Union, where you stayed, are primarily working class and Central American. Santa Monica has a decent-sized British expat community, too. There are a few other enclaves that currently slip my mind, but do bear in mind that the majority of these areas are best visited by car.
I'm trying hard to restrict my travels to light rail stops, and the immediate vacinities within a 4-6 block walk, in no matter which city I take a "light rail vacation", and I see now I'm going to have to do some research on bus lines as well. No problem, as the Tap card covers both rail/bus.
So excuse my "restricted" views of L.A. at this point in time!
Munchitup
Feb 16, 2013, 7:54 AM
I'm trying hard to restrict my travels to light rail stops, and the immediate vacinities within a 4-6 block walk, in no matter which city I take a "light rail vacation", and I see now I'm going to have to do some research on bus lines as well. No problem, as the Tap card covers both rail/bus.
So excuse my "restricted" views of L.A. at this point in time!
The good news is I find the LA buses to be better and more user friendly than most.
Easy
Feb 16, 2013, 9:08 AM
The Expo Line has received a very substantial amount of development, especially compared to Metro's previous light rail lines. Santa Monica and Culver City have lined up multiple projects to surround their stations. There are a handful of projects proposed for the portions running through LA as well.
The Expo/Crenshaw station will likely receive a lot of development as the Crenshaw Line takes form.
The amount of development planned along the Expo line has been pretty incredible compared to the slow pace of the rest of the lines.
I don't know what it's going to take to jump start the blue line. It's been getting safer, so I guess that's a start. But it has a lot of things working against it. For example the neighborhoods adjacent to the blue line besides being very poor and having few amenities, the housing stock isn't very attractive. It will likely be one of the last areas of LA to get any significant investment for a variety of reasons.
Easy
Feb 16, 2013, 9:13 AM
How would development pop up around the Green Line considering that a vast majority of it's length is in the middle of the 105? Lower your expatiation's as they are way too high. I loled at how you thought that the Green Line would drop you off at the beach.
That's actually a pretty common misconception. The last station is called "Redondo Beach" and evidently plenty of tourists think that they can take the green line to the beach when they see that. Who would think that it would stop so far from the ocean? Anaheim Street on the blue line in Long Beach used to be called "Anaheim" leading some to think that they could take the blue line to Disneyland.
blackcat23
Feb 16, 2013, 6:54 PM
The amount of development planned along the Expo line has been pretty incredible compared to the slow pace of the rest of the lines.
I don't know what it's going to take to jump start the blue line. It's been getting safer, so I guess that's a start. But it has a lot of things working against it. For example the neighborhoods adjacent to the blue line besides being very poor and having few amenities, the housing stock isn't very attractive. It will likely be one of the last areas of LA to get any significant investment for a variety of reasons.
I've read that another problem with the Blue Line is that many of the station adjacent neighborhoods are only zoned for single family residences. That being said, there is a TON of potential surrounding the Blue Line. Dozens of large empty lots that could make for TODs at some point in the future. But we're probably decades away from seeing that happening.
With the Green Line, the El Segundo pretty much dropped the ball. Until recently, they've never made an effort to promote development around the stations. We're starting to see that change, but only after 20 years.
The freeway running portions will be much more difficult, although not an impossibility. Pasadena has managed to get housing built surrounding the 210 running section of the Gold Line.
Dylan Leblanc
Feb 17, 2013, 8:13 PM
Last week I was in LA and was delightfully surprised to see the most amount of construction going on that I have ever seen there. Here are a few photos taken from the Hollywood reservoir.
Blvd2600 in Hollywood
http://gingert.net/images/losangeles-2012.02.08-01-blvd2600.jpg
something in the east hollywood area
http://gingert.net/images/losangeles-2012.02.09-01.jpg
The Vermont towers on Wilshire
http://gingert.net/images/losangeles-2012.02.08-02-thevermont.jpg
Marriott Courtyard / Residence Inn just south of downtown
http://gingert.net/images/losangeles-2012.02.08-03-marriott.jpg
something north of downtown
http://gingert.net/images/losangeles-2012.02.08-04.jpg
Valyrian Steel
Feb 17, 2013, 8:32 PM
^ That last one is of the Broad Museum. There should be at least three more cranes going up in downtown in the next few months.
Dylan Leblanc
Feb 17, 2013, 9:05 PM
Oh thanks, I was wondering if that was for a highrise or not. Didn't figure it was the Grand Avenue apartment tower by Related though as that only just broke ground.
JDRCRASH
Feb 17, 2013, 9:19 PM
Oh thanks, I was wondering if that was for a highrise or not. Didn't figure it was the Grand Avenue apartment tower by Related though as that only just broke ground.
Hopefully a crane should be on THAT property in a matter of weeks.
XAVIERinSF
Feb 18, 2013, 1:41 AM
@Dylan
Those are some AMAZING pictures. What kind of camera and lens did you capture these pictures? Too bad for the smog, I think one can easily see Long Beach or San Pedro?
Either way, thank you for the nice post.
bobbyv
Feb 20, 2013, 6:44 AM
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-millennium-hollywood-20130220,0,6352502.story
I know they will be downgraded, but still good news.
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